I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting ms last September so I am still learning about the condition and exactly how it affects me. I have found thus far that symptoms of tingling and more seriously optic neuritis which I currently have are brought about ny stress. I can seem to do long walks and all kinds of physical activity (as much as I ever could!) and really just experience fatigue at some point later (this of course has an impact). But it is stress and accompanying anxiety that seem to trigger the fizziness and tingling I get. Do others find that stress seems to be the main trigger for recurring transient symptoms? Thanks
Hi, your post from the 11th March has several replies - it is currently on page 2 of this forum.
Hiya
Stress is a massive trigger for relapses, increase in symptoms in my experience of having MS for 12 years.
If you can keep as stress free as possible the more your symptoms will ease.
For example my hubby was made redundant and my symptoms elevated really badly. Once he got himself another job the symptoms eased.
Good luck with keeping stress free, not easy.
Shazzie x
Thanks Shazzie. I have identified the biggest source of stress is my job and I am going to make a big change where that’s concerned. It is good to hear about trends in symptom flare ups in people who have had ms for a long time as it is relatively new to me and I am trying to understand what I can do to manage symptoms and reduce the potential for flare ups.
Sarah
Hi Sarah, Yes - stress major impact on my symptoms. I went to Occupational Health who said “any further stress could exacerbate my symptoms and could lead to further sickness absence” Yes very difficult to understand what MS does to us and I have learnt over time. Work - have you requested reasonable adjustments to make it easier for you? Good luck Min xx
Hi Min
Work would make a number of adjustments for me I am sure, I have already dropped a day a week. It is much more fundamentally the wrong place for me (I have been there a long old time and have been frustrated and irritated by the organisation for a long time, pre-ms). It cause such stress we have weighed up the pros and cons of leaving. The risk of staying there is greater than leaving. Because of the stress.
Sarah
Hi Sarah, So sad that you have to go through this when you have worked there for so long. I suggest before you do anything drastic make sure you know your rights. I do not know what these are but we are covered by the equalities act - whatever this means - sounds good though. Reality ??? But yes your health is a priority. Good luck Min xx
Stress and anxiety are major triggers. My legs just stop working when the anxiety strikes…literally been frozen in fear on occasions, like a panic attack. My own personal trigger seems to be if i’m asked to go out to a pub or something with mates. I used to love going out and now, hate it!!
or is it the other way round - having m.s. means we don’t deal well with stressful situations?
Same thing isn’t it anon? Having MS and being in a stressful situation isn’t good whichever way you look at it.
Shazzie
Hi Sarah
I think that both the exercise and the stress of work are big fatigue causes. For me there is a delay between the event and the fatigue. The trick is to plan what you do and notice the effect. For example, you walk for half an hour, rest for 5 mins or so, walk for half an hour.This may lead to no later reaction whereas walking for an hour might have. You know your body so you have to experiment and see what works for you. The complication is the other stuff you do. If you went shopping that uses up some of your energy resources so you might find what you normally do too much. Unfortunately stress also uses up some of that fuel meaning anything you can do to reduce it is good. When working I too had a taxi to work and reduced my hours etc. Jobcenter plus were really good at letting me know what could be done. I have changed jobs twice with MS and each allowed me to adjust as I needed to. I am retired now as all the adaptions and assistance weren’t enough to let me carry on. I worked for 12 years with MS and in that time my family grew. Anon is right that MS leads to extra stresses that other people do not face. For example, will the taxi arrive…have I slept…do I have a cold…have I misunderstood something…In the end we all have stresses but only the individual knows the effect that it is having on them.
I hope this helps!
Andy
I get increased tingling and buzzing when stressed too, along with fatigue. I was only diagnosed in January so I don’t understand my new MS body yet. Such fun!
I had a relapse last September which I suspect might be brought on by driving to a local airport. I hadn’t done this since before my diagnosis 3 years ago. I seemed to have more in the way of tingling, buzzing and fatigue during the three years it took to diagnose me because I was worrying and disbelieved by everyone exept my husband (who incidently doesn’t drive.)